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Nutritional deficiencies can impact your health in several ways. Magnesium, for instance, is a mineral that facilitates several functions in the body, including regulating muscle and nerve function, controlling blood sugar levels, and making protein in the body.
Additionally, it helps maintain a steady heartbeat and normal blood pressure. But how is that? Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Subhash Chandra, Chairman and HOD-Cardiology and Structural Heart Disease, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, discusses the role of magnesium in managing heart health.
Understanding Magnesium Deficiency And Its Symptoms
Magnesium deficiency occurs when the body does not have enough magnesium in the body. Also known as hypomagnesemia, it can lead to several health problems. According to Dr Chandra, alcoholism, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and renal failure are among the leading causes of magnesium deficiency, which can lead to symptoms, such as
- Muscle cramps
- Fatigue
- Abnormal eye movements
As per a research, twitches, tremors, and cramps are also signs of magnesium deficiency. In severe cases, it may lead to other neurological manifestations including seizures, delirium, depression and psychosis. In fact, a study published in the Internal Medicine Journal found a potential association between hypomagnesaemia and depression. However, further studies assessing the benefits of treatment of hypomagnesaemia in patients with depression are needed, the study authors said.
How Magnesium Deficiency Impacts The Heart?
Among the many severe effects of magnesium deficiency, heart arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat is one of the most concerning. It is a condition that occurs when there is a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat. Your heart is likely to beat too fast or too slowly. According to a research published in Nutrients low levels of magnesium has clinical features including severe muscle cramps and increases of irregular heartbeats known as arrhythmias.
Dr Chandra said, “Magnesium deficiency leads to atrial fibrillation or premature heart beats culminating in death. Atrial fibrillation predisposes to brain stroke by throwing clots from the heart into brain vessels.” A review published in Cardiology Research and Practice found an association between low magnesium level and atrial fibrillation (afib), which usually occurs when a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system causes the upper chambers of the heart to beat faster than normal.
In addition, a British Medical Journal (BMJ) study found that low levels of magnesium may also lead to chronic electrical instability of the myocardium by affecting the sodium and calcium flow into the cells.
How To Improve Magnesium Levels In The Body?
According to Dr Chandra, the adult body has 25g of magnesium (up to 50-60% in bones). “Recommended daily allowances of magnesium are 420 mg for men and 320 mg for women in adults,” he said, adding that excess magnesium is eliminated by the body and that the kidney is a major regulator of magnesium.
According to Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease, magnesium levels are regulated primarily by the kidneys and the intestines. Most magnesium is absorbed in the intestines, however, an unregulated amount of the mineral is filtered by the kidneys. Hence, kidney disease patients can have depletion or excessive magnesium in the body.
Most experts recommend getting sufficient magnesium levels from foods. Natural sources include:
- Banana
- Spinach
- Yoghurt
- Black beans
- Soy products like tofu or soy milk
- Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale
- Legumes
- Avocado
- Chia or pumpkin seeds
Conclusion
Nutrients play an important role in maintaining overall health. When it comes to magnesium, it not only supports heart health, but also looks after nerve functions, regulates blood sugar and blood pressure levels. A magnesium deficiency can cause several health problems, which is why timely diagnosis through a blood test is crucial.
